Meet the Team

DennisClub Coordinator

I started running the club in 1978 and am the Club’s Co-ordinator recruiting and supporting volunteers to run the Junior Youth Club on a Friday night. In that time I have been a member of Reading Council and a school governor at two Tilehurst schools and helped train people to do youth work. I enjoy seeing the club full of children enjoying themselves and working with a brilliant group of volunteers and it’s always lovely to see members from the earlier days bring their own children to the club. In my leisure time I enjoy cycling, walking the dogs, camping and listening to a certain brand of Irish pop music.

Our Volunteers

Ann

Alex

Alishia

Eve

Gemma

Georgina

Julia

Layla

Max

Michelle

Tiff

Zala

Management Committee

Gemma Withers – Fundraising Chair
I joined the management committee in 2012 to help support the club. In 2016, I became the Fundraising Chair and also a volunteer on club nights. I’m passionate about the club as I attended when I was younger. My 3 older children have all attended and have been junior leaders for numerous years, one has stayed on to become an adult leader. My youngest son currently attends and I love how the club offers a variety of activities. The disco nights and the talent shows are such great fun! I also love how it helps children gain confidence and build on their social skills and that the children can make more and new friends.

Julia Lavender – Treasurer
I’ve been enjoying myself at the club as a volunteer since 2021 and became the Treasurer in 2023. I love arts, crafts, cooking and baking so will often run these activities on club nights. For me it’s all about putting smiles on the childrens’ faces and watching them play, make new friends and learn new skills, especially in the kitchen!

Alishia Stride – Secretary
I have volunteered for 10+ years and been in the committee for under a year. Youth club is a place I love volunteering at because the community we have built is one of a kind. I really enjoy planning themed nights and love to organise them. I designed an Alice in Wonderland themed disco and it was so fun! My fun fact is that I am a professional dancer and currently a dance teacher for children aged four to twelve. I also love being a photographer in my spare time and specialise in dance photography.

Michelle Tenreiro Perez
I have been a volunteer with the club since late 2023 when my son started attending and joined the committee in spring 2024. I love how the club offers a fun, safe place for kids to relax and be themselves and get involved in the activities that appeal to them whether they are more creative or sporty or even fancy playing a board game. I hope to stay involved for a long time to come particularly so that I can indulge my love of fancy dress that we sometimes have on special occasions!

GET INVOLVED

If you would be interested in helping out and getting involved, please let us know!